Giving a shout out

Giving a shout out

From Pelita

The reform movement sweeping across the country -- after
citizens were denied their right to democracy for the past 32
years -- has resulted in people from all levels of the community
shouting at the top of their lungs as if this was a manifestation
of democracy. The important thing seems to be to make oneself
heard as loud as possible; as for quality, it can wait.

This can be seen in the television coverage of President
Abdurrahman Wahid, better known as Gus Dur, when he came face-to-
face with the honorable members of the House of Representatives
on Nov. 18, 1999, to explain the dissolution of the ministries of
information and social affairs.

As a taxpayer, I agree with Gus Dur's decision because in
order to head toward a civilian society there is no need for
information of the type issued by the former information
ministry.

As for social affairs, awareness must grow from communities
which have their own social problems, for which there is no need
for regulation by the social affairs ministry. Besides, the
former ministry could not resolve existing social problems.

It would be best for their budgets to be used for the people's
benefit, i.e. by boosting the economy. Members of the House of
Representatives should be better at finding ways to economically
empower the people so that their social level is equal to that of
people in other countries.

BAMBANG

Jakarta